Tinmouth group seeks town ordinance to allow registered ATVs and UTVs on designated roads

Jared Babin, president of the Tinmouth Trail Blazers, opened the informational meeting on July 6 by describing a proposed road ordinance to permit ATVs and UTVs — specifically side‑by‑sides — on designated town roads. "My name is Jared Babin. I'm president of the Tinmouth Trail Blazers," he said, and explained the stated purpose: to reduce illegal road use and create an enforceable, structured system for ATV/UTV operation.

Proponents outlined several proposed rules: vehicles would be registered and insured, operators would need a valid driver's license and be at least 16 years old, helmets and functioning headlights/taillights would be required, and muffler/sound restrictions would apply. Presenters said the ordinance would be limited to town roads and could include lower operating speeds, daylight‑only hours, seasonal opening/closing dates and route‑specific speed limits. They proposed a one‑year pilot with an annual review of complaints and incidents.

The group provided a draft map of candidate routes and said they would circulate a written ordinance before the next selectboard meeting. The selectboard characterized the session as informational and confirmed that town voters will decide in November whether the selectboard should adopt an ordinance; if adopted, residents would have 45 days to petition for a vote or appeal.